Taiwan COVID-19 Surge Overwhelms Emergency Departments, Prompting Vaccine Push

Taiwan’s COVID‑19 cases have risen sharply, driving emergency department visits above 10,000 in a single week, a 117% increase from the previous week. From July 21‑27, health authorities recorded 42 new severe cases and two deaths, with the majority of severe patients being over 65 or having chronic illnesses.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the current NB.1.8.1 variant mainly causes upper‑respiratory symptoms; many patients describe throat pain as feeling like “swallowing a blade.” While most cases are mild, the CDC urges high‑risk groups to seek early medical assessment and consider antiviral treatment. Vaccine supplies remain ample, with around 43,000 doses of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine and roughly 2,000 doses of Novavax available for free vaccination through the end of September. The CDC continues to recommend vaccination for all eligible residents, especially seniors, Indigenous peoples over 55, and immunocompromised individuals.